Hot-metal car



y 6, 1930. c. P: ASTROM 1,757,000

HOT METAL CAR Original Filed March 8, 1928 5 Shee ts-Sheet l y 6, 1930.c. P. AS.TROM- 1,757,000

' HOT METAL CAR I Original Filed March 8, 1928 '3 Sheets- Sheet 2 y1930- c. P. ASTROM 1,757,000

HOT METAL CAR Original Filed March 8, 19 28 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mum/Jlhtent ed May 6, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cam. r. asrnom, orEAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, nsszenca To 1!. n. comramr, 1110., on NEW YORK,N. Y., A ooaronarron or NEW YORK.

HOT-METAL CAB Original application filed March 8, 1828; Serial No.260,141. Divided and this application filed Ian I 25, 1929. Serial No.385,012.

The present invention relates to hot metal cars such as are used insteel works and iron foundries for receiving molten iron from blastfurnaces and transporting the same to various points of discharge.

This application is a division of my Patent No. 1,708,007 of April 9,,1929.

As set forth in that patent it is highly desirable to minimize theradiation of cat from the metal carried within the heat insulatedcontainer of a hot metal car to the outside air so as to render itpossible to store the metal in a molten condition for considerableperiods of time. The more complete the envelopment of the metal by theWalls of the metal receptacle of the car, the less the heat loss byradiation and the longer the metal will remain in a fluid state.Wherever, therefore, it is desired that the rate of loss of heat bereduced to an absolute minimum, any opening formed in the metalreceptacle for the purpose of charging and discharging the same shouldbe provided with a closure by means of which it can be closed or blockedat all times except when hot metal is actually being charged into ordischarged from such receptacle. Where such closures are not employed,the loss of heat from the metal adjacent, the uncovered charging andpouring opening is rapid as compared with the heat loss at other points,and as a consequence, the metal near these openings has sometimes becomesolidified, when cars have been allowed to stand for considerableperiods of time, thus forming skulls.

- It is important to provide heat retaining closures for the pouringopenings of hot metal car ladles of all types. In my first filedapplication the invention is broadly claimed, and claimed specificallyin combination with a ladle or metal container which is substantiallycircular in each cross sectional plane, and as a whole is formed as asolid of revo-v lution. and which is revoluble about its longitudinalaxis. With other types of ladles, howi ever. such as those of square,rectangular, el-

lipsoidal, etc., cross section, or with vertical ladles of conical,cylindrical or other wellknown forms the same difficulties referred tohave been experienced. I

The invention contemplates in every instance the employment of a heatretaining" canopy or cover for a ladle which comprises a portion of thepermanent equipment of a of a heat retaining canopy which willefi'ectively decrease heat losses without, at the same time, renderingit appreciably more diflicult' to charge and discharge the ladle. Suchladles are mounted so as to rotate about hor-. izontal axes. Many hotmetal cars of this type are'now in use but can be employed only fortransporting molten metal for short distances on account of the rapidloss of heat by radiation through the uncovered top of the ladle.

. The invention may obviously assume various forms or embodiments toprovide for different requirements, and it will be understood that theforms hereinafter specificall described, and which are illustrated inthe drawings, are set forth by way of example i In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a' hot metal car of common type buthaving'one form of my improved cover positioned to normally pover thelarge and otherwise unprotected Figure 2 isan end elevation of the sameshowing in dotted lines the positions which the ladle and cover assumein a pouring operation; Y

Figures 3 and 4 are side and end elevations respectively of a hot metalcar which is generally similar in construction to that shown in Figures1 and 2 but in which the ladle is supported so as to tilt about a singlecentral axis so that it is unnecessary to partially v lift the coverto'charge or discharge the same;

Figures 5 and 6 are side and end elevations respectively of a ladle ofthe three trunnion type and adapted to be carried by a car such as thatillustrated in Figures and 2,

this type of ladle having large pouring lips; an

Figure 7 is an end view of a portion of a hot metal car, with a ladle ofthe type shown in Figures 1 and 2 mounted thereon, special link membersbeing provided, however. for automatically lifting the cover when theladle is tilted.

The hot metal car shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings is of awell-known type. comprising essentially a frame indicated generally at10, mounted on wheeled trucks 11 and carrying a ladle 12 mounted 011trunnions. The drawing illustrates what is known as the three trunniontype of car, but five trunnions may be employed at each end Withoutdeparture from its principle of operation. It may be tilted to the rightabout the axis of aligned trunnions 13, 13 (Figure 2) or to the leftabout the axis of aligned trunnions 14, 14. In tilting, a chain is used,this chain being hooked to one or other of the chain lugs, one of whichis indicated at 15. The canopy or cover is indicated at 16 andcomprisesa built up steel frame which supports refractory material, suchas fire bricks. silica bricks or material which may be poured into placewhile in plastic condition.

This cover is square as viewed in plan but arched in transverse sectionto conform to the curvature of the upper edge of the ladle. Projectingfrom each corner, in directions parallel to the trunnion axes is a pin17, the two pins on each side of the car being axially aligned. Each pinnormally rests in an open bearing 18 and such bearing is mounted on thetop of a post or pedestal 19. The lower ends of these posts aresupported in sockets which may conveniently be made integral with thetrunnion supports. Diagonal braces for each corner post are indicated at20 and 21, braces 20 extending to the car frame, and braces 21 to thetrunnion supports. The corner posts and canopy are thus held againstlateral movement.

Inasmuch as the ladle is not tilted about a single central axis to becharged or discharged, but on the other hand is tilted about an axis toone side of the center it is obvious that its upper edge would strikethe canopy in tilting unless the latter is lifted slightly as apreliminary step. To facilitate lifting of the canopy by means of achain 22, for instance, it is provided with two curved bars 23positioned. respectively, adjacent its opposite edges. the ends of thesebars being secured in channel members 24 extending transversely of thecanopy and secured to the frame thereof. By fastening a chain to eithersuch bar and exerting a pull thereon by means of a crane or the like thecanopy may be tilted about the axis of the aligned pins 17 on itsopposite edge. The positions occupied by the ladle and cover at thecompletion of a pouring operation are shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.The pouring lips of this ladle are indicated at 25.

The hot metal car illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 has its frame andcanopy formed substantially in the same manner as in the case of the carshown in Figures 1 and 2 and the ladle also is practically the sameexcept in that it is supported upon the frame by means ofa single pairof centrally arranged trunnions 26, one at each end. All points alongthe upper edge of the ladle are equidistant from the axis of rotationand the lower face of the canopy is likewise curved about this axis,this relationship being shown as at 27, Figure 4. The ladle may betilted about its axis therefor in either direction of rotation withoutnecessitating movement of the canopy. However, the canopy 16 is providedwith lifting bars 23, as it is found desirable to lift it off of the caroccasionally to replace or patch the refractory material.

The upper edges of certain ladles are not curved about their axes ofrotation, as in the case of that form just described, and in someinstances are not even curved about axes parallel to the axes ofrotation. Thus the upper edge of the three trunnion ladle shown inFigures 5 and 6 is curved about an axis transverse to its two axes ofrotation, principally for the purpose of providing large pouring lips,such as indicated at 28. The canopy is of course correspondingly curved.Naturally, when the ladle is tilted about one or the other of its axesof rotation the canopy must be likewise tilted, or rather tilted in theopposite direction as in the case of the canopy shown in Figure 2, sothat the edge of the ladle will clear its undersurface. In someinstances the canopy may be lifted vertically rather than tilted, and inthe drawings the links 29 fastened to the canopy top to facilitateconvenient attachment of a lifting chain are designed more with the endin view of vertical lifting" than of tilting.

The final embodiment of the invention selected for disclosure by way ofexample is shown in Figure 7. The ladle there illustrated is of thethree trunnion type and the details of the car are omitted. save for thetrunnion supporting member. The canopy 30 is of the same type as thatshown in Figures 1 and 2 and is supported by a similar framework. Meansis added however whereby the canopy is automatically tilted when theladle itself is tilted, thus obviating the necessity of tilting orlifting the canopy to avoid interference between the ladle edge and thecanopy undersurface. This means includes links 31 (only one of which isshown) the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to trunnions 32and the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to pins 33 of thecanopy. Rotation of the ladle about the axis of trunnions 34 causeslinks 31 to thrust pins 33 upwardly and the canopy to t1lt about theaxis of pins 35 into the position shown in dotted lines. Return of theladle to normal position results in lowering of the viously be providedwith lifting links 29 to facilitate raising the canopy clear of thesupporting frame.

All forms of canopies utilized are readily removable from theirsupporting frameworks. This permits them to be lowered to the ground orfloor for the purpose of repair, in which position such repairs mayeasily be made and without the necessity of waiting for the ladle tocool to permit workmen to go inside. Also an entirely new or differentcanopy can be substituted for one found defective in a few minutes.Where metal is to remain in the ladles for considerable lengths of time,as for instance where cars are to be transported for long distances, sayten or fifteen miles, the narrow joints between the edges of the pouringopenings and the canopies may be filled with mud or the like, thuspreventing splashing out of the metal and entirely preventing the directloss of heat. These mud seals are easily broken at the point ofdischarge.

While I have illustrated and described my improved heat retaining canopyor cover as applied to several types of hotmetal cars, it will beunderstood that it is well adapted for use ,with ladles which varywidely in shape, construction and methods of mounting upon car frames.Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the problem ofminimizing the heat losses from mobile metal containers is a general oneand that the present invention provides a solution of generalapplicability.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with the wheeled frame of a hot metal car, ofvertical supporting members rigidly mounted thereon, a canopy supportedon said members, a ladle tiltably supported on the frame beneath thecanopy, the canopy normally covering the charging and dischargingopening of the ladle, the vertical supporting members being providedwith open bearing supports for the reception of portions of the canopywhereby the canopy may be readily removed.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the canopy is providedwith two aligned pins or trunnions on each side thereof, and in whichthe vertical supporting members are positioned to receive said pins,

whereby the canopy ma betilted about the axis of either pair of a 'gnedpins or lifted from said bearings, for the purpose described.

3. The combination with the wheeled frame of a hot metal car, ofvertical supporting members rigidly mounted thereon, a canopy supportedon said members, a ladle supported on the frame beneath the canopy so asto permit tilting of the ladle about an axis to one side of its center,the said canopy normally covering the charging and discharging openingof the ladle, and means for connecting the ladle and canopy so that thecanopy is automatically raised when the ladle is tilted..

4. The combination with the wheeled frame of a hot metal car, ofvertical supporting members rigidly mounted thereon, a canopy supportedon said members, a ladle tiltably supported on the frame beneath thecanopy, the said canopy normally coverin the charging and dischargingopening 0 the ladle, and means fastened to the canopy for attachment ofa lifting device, whereby the canopy may be tilted or removed.

5. A hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a. tiltableladle supported therein and having an opening through which molten metalis adapted to be poured when the container is rotated from normalposition, a canopy supported by said frame and normally covering saidopening, and means to raise said canopy coincident with the tilting ofsaid ladle.

6. A hot metal car including in combina-- tion, a car frame, a ladlesupported thereby and mounted to tilt about an oif-centeraxis, a canopytiltably mounted on and supported by said frame and normally coveringsaid ladle in a substantially close-fittin relation, the axes on whichsaid'canopy and ladle are tiltablymounted being so disposed that whenthe canopy is tilted the ladle may be tilted without engaging therewith.

7. In a hot metal car including in combination, acar frame, a ladlerotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein, a ladle canopynormally covering the ladle pivotally mounted on said frame on an axisparallel to and at one side of the vertical plane pass ing throughtheaxis of rotation of the ladle, the axes of the ladle and canopy beingso located that the ladle can be rotated without engaging the canopywhen the latter is moved upwardly on its axis.

8. In a hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a ladlerotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein, a ladle canopy,normally covering the ladle, pivotally mounted on said frame on an axisparallel to the axis of rotation of the ladle, and means to raise saidcanopy coincident with the rotation of the ladle.

9. In a hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a ladlerotatable about "an ...n.

a horizontal axis mounted therein, a ladle canopy, normally covering theladle, pivotally mounted on said frame on an axis parallel to the axisof rotation of the ladle, and 5 means comprising a link connectionbetween the ladle and the canopyto raise said canopy coincident with therotation of the ladle.

10. In a hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a ladlerotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein and tiltable in eitherof two directions, a canopy covering said ladle when the latter is inits normal position, said canop supported by said frame on a pluralityof orizontal axes, 5 whereby the canopy may be tilted in either of twodirections to permit tilting of the ladle in an opposite direction.

11. In a hot metal car including incombination, a car frame, a ladlesupported by Said frame on a plurality of horizontal axes and adapted tobe tilted about either of said axes, a canopy'covering said ladle whenthe latter is in its normal position, said canopy supported by saidframe on a plurality of horizontal axes, whereby the canopy may betilted in either of two directions to permit tilting of the ladle aboutone of its horizontal supporting axe's.

12. In a hot metal car, including in combination, a car frame, includinga plurality of pairs of trunnion bearings, a ladle having a plurality ofpairs of aligned supportin trunnions adapted to be received by San?trunnion bearings, the ladle may be tilted in one direction about theaxis of one pair of aligned trunnions or tilted in the oppositedirection about the axis of another pair of aligned trunnions, aplurality of pairs of hearings on said car frame, a canopy covering saidladle in its normal position, said cano y including a plurality 0 pairsof aligne projections adapted to be received by said bearings, and meansto tilt said canopy about the axis of either pair of alignedprojections.

13. In a hot metal car including in combi-- nation, a car frame, a ladlerotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein and tiltable in eitherof two directions to discharge molten material therefrom, supports onsaid 59 frame having open ended bearings and a removable canopy havingprojecting members mounted in said bearings, said canopy being adaptedto cover said ladle when the ladle is in its normal position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

CARL P. A STROM.

